Controlled failure balloon catheter assemblies

Abstract

Novel balloon catheter assemblies comprising controlled failure portion that fails at a pressure which will prevent undesired balloon rupture. The controlled failure portion can be located on or in a catheter shaft, a hub assembly, and/or a hub extension piece.

1 - 16 . (canceled)  
   
   
       17 . Catheter assembly comprising: 
 a catheter shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, an inflation lumen extending from the proximal end to the distal end, and being in fluid communication with an interior space of an inflatable balloon located on the distal end, the inflation lumen being defined by a wall portion, the wall portion including at least one frangible portion located sufficiently proximate to the inflatable balloon such that the at least one frangible portion will remain inside a guide catheter when a procedure is performed in a patient's vasculature.    
   
   
       18 . The catheter assembly of  claim 17 , wherein the catheter shaft further comprises a guide wire receiving lumen extending from the distal end to a point proximate to the inflatable member.  
   
   
       19 . The catheter assembly of  claim 17 , wherein the at least one frangible portion comprises a disk material comprising a material selected from the group consisting of plastics, metals, ceramics and composite materials.  
   
   
       20 . The catheter assembly of  claim 19 , wherein the metals are selected from the group consisting of aluminum, copper, nickel, transition metals, iron, beryllium copper, cobalt chromium, and mixtures and alloys thereof.  
   
   
       21 . The catheter of  claim 20 , wherein the metal comprises stainless steel.  
   
   
       22 . The catheter assembly of  claim 17 , wherein the inflatable balloon comprises a polymer material.  
   
   
       23 . The catheter assembly of  claim 22 , wherein the polymer material comprises a material selected from the group consisting of polytetrafluoroethylene, polyolefin copolymer, polyester, polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene, polyether block amide, polyamide, polyimide, latex, urethane, and combinations or blends thereof.  
   
   
       24 . The catheter assembly of  claim 23 , wherein the polytetrafluoroethylene comprises expanded polytetrafluoroethylene.  
   
   
       25 . The catheter of  claim 17 , wherein a stent is mounted on the inflatable balloon.  
   
   
       26 . The catheter of  claim 17 , wherein the inflatable balloon is a dilatation balloon.  
   
   
       27 . The catheter of  claim 17 , wherein the inflatable balloon is an occlusion balloon.  
   
   
       28 . The catheter of  claim 17 , wherein the catheter shaft further comprises a guide wire receiving lumen extending from the distal end to a point proximal of the hub assembly.  
   
   
       29 . The catheter of  claim 18 , wherein the catheter shaft includes a guide wire receiving lumen extending from the distal end to the proximal end and being in fluid communication with the hub assembly guide wire receiving lumen.  
   
   
       30 - 43 . (canceled)  
   
   
       44 . The catheter assembly of  claim 17 , wherein the catheter minimum rated burst strength is increased by the at least one frangible portion relative to the same catheter assembly without the at least one frangible portion.  
   
   
       45 . (canceled)